Chapter 32 Chapter 5 Preparing for South Africa

It was undoubtedly a mistake that I ran to the official.Yet his impatience and arrogance were too much for my error.He didn't have to give me an eviction order. In fact, I could only occupy his time for five minutes at most, but he didn't want to listen to me at all.He could have politely asked me to go, but power has fascinated him to an unnatural degree.It was only later that I learned that this official has no patience. It has become his habit to insult visitors. As long as he is a little bit unsatisfactory, he can make this gentleman fly into a rage. Now most of my work is naturally in his court, and I can't perfunctory with him, and I don't want to please him.Besides, since I have declared that I want to sue him, I am not willing to remain silent.

It was at this time that I began to understand a little bit of local politics.Katiyahua is composed of many small states, so it is naturally full of intrigue and dispute.Suspicion among states and officials' struggle for power have become commonplace.Even those princes are always at the mercy of others, and let those flatterers have their ideas.Even the gentleman's footman had to treat him kindly, and the gentleman's clerk was better than his master, because he was his eyes and ears and interpreter.The opinion of this clerk is the law, and his income is always several times that of his master.This may be an exaggeration, but it is true that he does not live paycheck to paycheck.

I think this kind of atmosphere is poisonous, and how to avoid it has become a difficult problem for me to solve. I was indeed very distressed, as my brother evidently understood.We both felt that I should get out of this intrigue if I could find something else to do.But it is impossible to get a minister or a judge without some tricks.Besides, I had a quarrel with that master, so it will be difficult for me to continue my practice. At that time, Porbanda was already under the jurisdiction of the British, and I had a little job there, which was to fight for more power for the princes of Porbanda.I was also obliged to see a magistrate because of the excessive rent borne by the tenant farmers.Although this official is an Indian, I found that his arrogance made that gentleman even more arrogant.He's a capable man, but I don't think the peasants benefit from it.I managed to win some power for Ranaldo, but it didn't ease the sharecropper's burden much.It astonishes me that their plight is so neglected.

So even though I took on this mission, I was still quite disappointed.I feel that what my client has suffered is unfair, but I have no way to uphold justice.The best I can do is to appeal to the political supervisor or governor, who will dismiss my appeal and say, "We don't want to interfere." It's the law, so what else is there to say? I am absolutely outraged.At this time, a Miman firm in Porbandar wrote to my brother with the following proposal: "We are doing business in South Africa, we have a large firm, and we have a major case in the courts there involving £40,000 gain and loss. This case has been going on for a long time. We have hired the best advocates and lawyers. If you can send your brother there, it will be good for us and for him. He will Use our advisors better than we do. He himself can take the opportunity to see the new world and make new friends."

My brother asked me to discuss this matter.I don't know if I'm just there to advise his counselors or if I'm going to appear in court myself, but I'm willing to take that advice. My brother introduced me to the recently deceased Sai Abdul Kareem Gaveli, who was a shareholder in the Dada Abdullah Company; the firm referred to above.He told me: "It's not a difficult thing. We have a lot of European friends and you get to know them when you get there. It is very useful for us if you come to our shop. Most of our letters are in English, and you can Do us a favor on this. Of course you are our guest there, so there will be no cost."

"How long do you want me to do things for you?" I asked. "How much is the reward?" "It won't be more than a year. We'll cover your travel expenses to and fro, first class on the ship, and pay you another £105, all inclusive." It's not like paying a lawyer, it's like paying a store clerk.However I would love to leave India.To see a new country and experience some new experiences; this is also an opportunity not to be missed.And I can send that £105 to my brother to help the family.I therefore gladly accepted the proposal, and prepared to set off for South Africa.